Finding the Balance between Distraction and Opportunity

The more I hear about the new Pokemon Go app, the more it makes me think. I’ve seen the game act as a distraction and also as a ministry tool. My question: do we have to worry about balance?

For those living outside of the Millennial/Gen Z craze, Pokemon Go is a new game played on your smartphone. In its simplest form, you have to walk around, with your device in hand, looking for Pokemon (cartoon creatures) to catch.

This might sound a little obscure and silly, but so do many games until you start playing. In fact, games can become highly addictive. A little silly game can quickly consume large portions of our time and conversation. Candy Crush is a great example.

I’d be the first to admit that I spend my fair share of time playing silly phone games. I’d also be the first to admit, that it doesn’t help me grow in my Christian journey.

I’ve started to re-ask myself a very basic question, “If Jesus were here today would He be trying to ‘catch ‘em all?’” It might be a complicated answer. There are two questions we have to keep in mind: 1) is it a distraction; and, 2) is it an opportunity?

Pokemon Go as a Distraction

There are many things that can distract us from what is actually important in life. Games, in general, definitely make that list.

Actually, “distraction” might be an understatement. Pokemon Go has caused car crashes, people to walk off cliffs, and otherwise completely disregard all forms of basic humanity.1

Games like #PokemonGo have the potential of distracting a whole generation from the #gospel. Click To TweetIn writing to Timothy, Paul warned him to avoid “youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace…” (2 Timothy 2:22). The phrase “youthful passions” is often debated, but it’s fair to view this in a general sense. It’s a tendency to be lured into “immaturity” and the “new thing” and distracted from what’s important – “righteousness, faith, love and peace” (ie. the gospel.) 2 Games like Pokemon Go have the potential of distracting a whole generation from the gospel.

Paul also understood that we live in grace. There are many things that we are free to do, “but not all things are helpful” (1 Cor 6:12, 10:23). Paul was discussing specific issues when he wrote that, however, he was simply stating our freedom and responsibility in Christ.

We can participate, but is it helpful?

Pokemon Go as an Opportunity

Jesus connected with people in culture. In fact, he connected with them wherever he went. Jesus made the most out of every opportunity while bringing people down the road of spiritual life. Shouldn’t we aim to do the same?

Several local churches have made new connections with youth and young adults through the game. Some have set up a charging station, put up a sign to welcome Pokemon trainers, and otherwise interacting with those running around their city or town.3

Check out this local church (their building happens to be a Pokestop):

Paul wrote, “I have become all things to all people that by all means I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22). That means, for the sake of the gospel, we sometimes need to engage with things in order to connect with people. It’s not a call to avoid holiness, rather a call to relate. We are by no means threatening our relationship with God by engaging in Pokemon Go. But, by participating, we may in fact connect with kids and teens for the Kingdom!

So What Do We Do?

Ultimately, we all need to distinguish between a distraction and opportunity for ourselves. As I observe, however, these are my best suggestions:

I won’t say Pokemon Go (and other games) are “sinful” or “ungodly.” However, if God wants us to live our lives for His glory, the Devil is certainly excited to see Christians fully engaged in silly games. If we’re not focusing on our spiritual journey, then we won’t be able to lead others to Christ.

If, however, we use games like Pokemon Go to help build the Kingdom, there are some great opportunities. Pokemon Go can help us engage with culture so we can lead others to what really matters – Jesus!

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The salvation of God overturns the economy of this world. Whereas the world's economic system depends on each one of us paying our debts, the economy of God's Spirit involves the forgiveness of debts. Whereas the world's justice system involves our getting what we earn or deserve, the justice of God liberates us from the guilt and shame accompanying our actions. Whereas our humanly constructed economy depends on barter and exchange, the divine economy involves merely calling on God in repentance and receiving both the forgiveness of debts and the free gift of the Holy Spirit. God's way of doing business is contrary to the ways of the world. Amos Yong

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Andrew and Deidre live in Paradise, Newfoundland with their two children (Rae and Pierson). He is a graduate of Memorial University (BBA) and, both are Tyndale Seminary graduates (Andrew, with an MTS, and Deidre, with a BA). Their passion is to use both challenging and humerous blog posts, to help people become true and authentic disciples of Jesus.